Rio Ferdinand is coping with the pressure of his misconduct charge for missing a drugs test by focusing on matches, according to Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Rio Ferdinand is coping with the pressure of his misconduct charge for missing a drugs test by focusing on matches, according to Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The United defender faces a lengthy ban as a result of the charge and Ferguson, who is understood to be furious with the way the Football Association have handled the matter, says the 24-year-old can only forget about his problems by thinking about football.

Ferguson said: "He's not enjoying it obviously but where he is coping is that he has managed to focus on the football games quite well and I think that's important to him.

Saving grace

"His one saving grace is that he has got a football game to look forward to at the moment."

Ferdinand is expected to play against Portsmouth tomorrow but depending on the timing of the hearing that could be his last home league match before appearing in front an FA disciplinary panel.

Ferguson claims his side cannot help but play better than they did against Fulham last week, when they lost 3-1 at home, but is wary of the presence of former player Teddy Sheringham in the Pompey ranks.

"Teddy's unbelievable, we watched their game on Wednesday against Forest and he was absolutely fantastic," said Ferguson. "He'll get a great welcome, he was a fantastic player for us.